UNITED FRESH START FOUNDATION

THE UNITED FRESH START FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES TO AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH KIDS DEVELOP HEALTHY BODIES, MINDS,AND EATING HABITS BY INCREASING CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WHERE THEY LIVE,LEARN,AND PLAY. WE FOCUS OUR EFFORTS IN THREE AREAS:1. IN SCHOOLS REACHING KIDS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY AND DURING SCHOOL-BASED EVENTS. THE SALAD BAR PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOOLS WITH A SALAD BAR THROUGH WHICH TO SERVE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. SALAD BARS ARE A VISUALLY APPEALING WAY TO HIGHLIGHT FRESH PRODUCE CHOICES TO STUDENTS. SALAD BARS ALSO SUPPORT SCHOOLS IN MEETING SCHOOL LUNCH NUTRITION STANDARDS REQUIRING A COLORFUL VARIETY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE PROVIDED EACH WEEK.2. IN COMMUNITIES REACHING KIDS EVERYWHERE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, INCLUDING DURING EVENINGS,WEEKENDS,AND IN SUMMER. THE UNITED FRESH START FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM EXTENDS THE FOUNDATION'S WORK BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY, PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ON THE WEEKENDS, DURING THE SUMMER, AND THROUGH OTHER CREATIVE VENUES. GRANTS OF UP TO $2,500 ARE OFFERED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY NON-PROFIT, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHARE THE FOUNDATION'S COMMITMENT TO INCREASING CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE AND HELPING KIDS DEVELOP LIFELONG HEALTHY EATING HABITS.3. IN THE FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INDUSTRY REACHING KIDS BY LINKING UNITED FRESH PRODUCE ASSOCIATION MEMBER COMPANIES TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE UNIQUE KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES, AND INSIGHTS, ENABLING THE FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION.